ACCA recognises excellence in sustainability reporting
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) recently hosted its third annual Sustainability Awards function at the Westcliff in Johannesburg. Approximately 80 CEOs, Corporate Affairs Executives, Sustainability Consultants and ACCA stakeholders attended.
Anglo Platinum was awarded first place for the Best Sustainability Report overall.
"Winning the ACCA 2005 Sustainability Award is excellent news. We place a lot of value on sustainable development. The Sustainability Report is the window to the outside world, so it is very important for us to get the recognition that we are doing well as far as the reporting is concerned, and also, in terms of the content of the Sustainability Report. It is always pleasing to receive such an award, which motivates the people who are intricately involved in the preparation of the report, and recognises the involvement of the broader Anglo Platinum community," said Anglo Platinum CEO, Ralph Havenstein.
Accepting the award for second place, Spier Sustainability Director, Tanner Methvin said the award was a great compliment. "We have spent an enormous amount of time and energy changing our corporate culture and daily practice to reflect a sustainable approach to business. To be recognised by ACCA for all our efforts, is truly an honour," he revealed.
African Bank & Sasol were awarded joint third place. African Bank Executive Director, Tami Sokutu said that although African Bank was delighted to be among the winning group, it recognised there was absolutely no room whatsoever, for complacency. " We think that there is still a lot of buy-in that we need to get from people within the company. We want to make sure that sustainability is something that we live and breathe as a company in all our divisions and in all of our operations," he informed.
Sasol SHE Centre: General Manager, Dr Mike Rose said Sasol would like to be recognised as being in the top 10% or 20% globally, for sustainability reporting. "For us to have a professional organisation that is very competent to judge this kind of area, provides us with a great deal of encouragement, and gives us some idea in terms of the reporting side that we are on the right track," Rose explained. Although Sasol tends to benchmark against global standards and global competition, Rose said South African competition and standards form the basis of Sasol's improvement drive.
Woolworths received the award for the Most Improved Report. CEO, Simon Susman, said sustainability reporting provided documented evidence of the company's sustainability initiatives, which are an intrinsic part of Woolworths brand value system. "The reporting process has provided invaluable insight into the company's existing sustainability activities which, in many instances, were not widely recognised or understood, but merely part of 'operation normal' in the respective departments," he informed. He said sustainability reporting challenged Woolworths to move constantly towards proactive management of sustainability with accountable delivery at every level.
Massmart received the award for the Best Newcomer. Corporate Group Affairs Executive, Brian Leroni, said Massmart was working hard to get to a position of leadership in Sustainability Reporting. "To be recognised at this time is fantastic. Massmart is committed to the highest standards of transparency in our corporate reporting. We believe that the publication of a comprehensive Sustainability Report is supportive of this commitment," Leroni observed.
ACCA's judging panel commended British American Tobacco South Africa for its ongoing, high-level stakeholder engagement, and Delta Environmental Centre, for its ability as an NGO to demonstrate, through its reporting mechanisms, a sense of accountability to its community.
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Additional information can be obtained from ACCA South Africa. Nirri Nair can be contacted on 011 459 1900.